Black Diamonds and Pearls

(Black diamonds and PEARLS) [Intro - message continued from interlude] "I'm just gonna read you a little bit of ?: 'I like to start off by saying that prison is truly a living hell It is a place where love and compassion are looked upon as weaknesses And violence and brutality are worn like a medal of honor Prison is a tedious task of survival that could shatter your dreams and ambition The California Department of Corrections ISN'T designed To help you rehabilitate yourself or even help you To become a productive law-abiding citizen'" [Hook - Larry Saunders (Ledisi)] (Black diamonds and PEARLS) Keep on, keep goin', march on, move on Keep blowin' it up Keep ON, keep goin', march on, move on Stay strong, keep goin', keep, blowin' it up (Black diamonds and PEARLS) KEEP ON, keep goin', march on, move on Keep blowin' it up, yeaaaah Blowin' it up, yeaaaaaaah [Gift of Gab - Verse One] Young leaders, little unsung heroes You can run some meters, be a hoop or a track star School teacher, scientist, or even Own your very own street, maybe even be a rap star Times witcha, you could change whole pictures Make a better situation, for your mother and yo' big mama Make dollars, own a ride and a house Get it right, use your powers, getting' everything you did want Then the youth say, "Look at where I'm at now Straight poverty, death is in my backyard Dope dealers, get fifty G's a pack While my teacher don't really give a damn about a black child! And the grown folks say, 'tell the truth', then act fowl Say 'no' to drugs, hidin' all they crack vials And talk all about peace and love and God But then why are we at war, killin' people in Iraq now?" [Hook] [Verse Two] Young sista had a child, still young herself now And it's others all around screamin' turmoil Ain't done wit' school, how are you gonna make it now? Life is gonna be a little harder for you girl Some how, she sees the face of a child And on her face is a smile, and now it's brighter up in her world And makes her stronger now, she's gotta carry on And be a very good mama, this is life, let it unfurl And she's doin' it, mother of the earth now Found a blessin' in the struggle through her first child Kept goin', kept growin', kept flowin' Kept strivin', kept knowin' God would make a way somehow Live yo' life, girl, show 'em how it's done now I believe in you, so keep it movin' 'til the sun's down Never let them hold you back from anything you want now Life is but a ride, so find the treasures that are unfound [Hook] [Verse Three] Young brotha, takin' care of his mother Makin' bread, gotta hustle, cause the table's lookin' thin now Stress ridden as he walks his little sister To her preschool, which is up the road just a few miles Back at the house, his mom seeks magic Through the pipe smoke travelin' through her lungs out and back down Worst part that breaks the young man's heart Is he's the one that's supplyin' it, he feels like he's trapped now Cause every time he says, "No", then she'll spaz out Start shakin', "Mama, please, where is dad now?!" Guess he's gotta be the home's only man now Left the life alone and gotta whole other plan now Stacked enough to put her in a rehab found Work and got a G.E.D., his sister's in his hands now And with support from other members in the fam Gonna make it out this struggle, young people, here's your chance, come on! [Hook and ad-libs] Black diamonds and PEARLS